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EVENTS AD PARTNERS
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1999 Recap: Detroit's final season in Tiger Stadium was not what GM Randy Smith had in mind. The team endured a sixth consecutive losing season, finishing 22 games below .500, while veterans and prospects struggled alike. Adding insult to injury, ex-Tigers like Jose Lima, Luis Gonzalez and Joe Randa enjoyed career years playing elsewhere. 1999 Highlight: The Tigers' infield was a pleasant surprise. Third baseman Dean Palmer cranked 38 homers and played solid defense, shortstop Deivi Cruz bumped up his average to .284, second baseman Damion Easley had 20 home runs, and Tony Clark salvaged a decent year (.280-30-99) after sluggish start. 1999 Lowlight: The final out at Tiger Stadium. Flashbulbs popped as the Tigers beat the Royals 8-2 on Sept. 27 to end the 6,783rd game played in the old ballpark. It was sad to see the old stadium go. Earlier in the ninth, Ernie Harwell put it best: "I will cherish its memories. I know there will never be a corner like Michigan and Trumbull." Manager: Phil Garner (1st season with Detroit; 563-617 in 8 seasons) Coaches: Bill Madlock (hitting), Dan Warthen (pitching), Juan Samuel (first), Doug Mansolino (third), Bob Melvin (bench), Lance Parrish (bullpen) Camp Site: Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Fla. Reporting Dates: Pitchers and catchers Feb. 17; full squad on Feb. 22 Additions: OF Juan Gonzalez, RHP Hideo Nomo, RHP Danny Patterson, RHP Mike Oquist, C Gregg Zaun Subtractions: LHP Justin Thompson, OF Gabe Kapler, RHP Francisco Cordero, OF Kimera Bartee, INF Frank Catalanotto, C Bill Hasselman Spring Cleaning: The addition of Juan Gonzalez caught the city's attention as the Tigers move into Comerica Park, but Garner has plenty of holes. Who will set the table for Gonzo? Luis Polonia? The 1-2-3 hitters combined for a .336 on-base percentage last season. Bobby Higginson needs to rediscover his stroke after a .239-12-46 campaign. Rookie Robert Fick knows the strike zone but doesn't have a position. Look for Fick to see time behind the plate, at first and DH. While starting pitching is the team's main concern entering camp, the pitchers -- if not the order of the rotation -- appear to be set: RHP Brian Moehler, RHP Dave Mlicki, RHP Jeff Weaver, RHP Hideo Nomo and LHP C.J. Nitkowski.
Key Acquisition: Whether or not the Tigers sign Juan Gonzalez to a long-term contract, Garner expects big things from Gonzo. A two-time American League MVP, Gonzalez hit .326-39-128 last season and has averaged 43 home runs and 140 RBI sicnce 1996. Gonzalez seems willing to wait to see how he likes the new ballpark and how the city responds to him before making a long-term commitment. Pivotal Player: For the Tigers to be successful this season, they need Bobby Higginson to bounce-back year following a tepid 1999 (12 HR, .239 BA) in which he missed 55 games due to injury. Higgy needs to be more patient at the plate and stop pulling the ball so much. If he does not regain his 1998 form (25 HR, .284 BA), the team will be lacking a key bat. The Future is Now: This is the year that Deivi Cruz must prove that he is a complete shortstop at the major league level. Cruz's defense remains stellar and he raised his batting average 24 points in 1999. If his second half is any indication (.299, 10 HR, 41 RBI), the 24-year-old could have a breakout season. Opportunity Knocks: Hideo Nomo, still just 31-years-old, resurrected his career under Phil Garner last season, going 12-8 with a 4.45 in Milwaukee. The Tigers also have big plans for Robert Fick, who hit a grand slam in the final game at Tiger Stadium. Fick is career .316 hitter in the minors and is finally healthy after shoulder surgery. Prospects to Watch: RHP Dave Borowski, 1B-C-DH Robert Fick, 1B-DH Eric Munson, RHP Victor Santos, OF Chris Wakeland
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